02593cam a22003373u 4500 42363 UtSlPG 20260610133953.0 m cr n 260607r2013||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d 17015181 UtSlPG en iso639-1 HV Bercovici, Konrad, 1882-1961 Crimes of Charity Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2013 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2013-03-18 Produced by Greg Bergquist, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) "Crimes of Charity" by Konrad Bercovici is a scathing critique of organized charity systems, written in the early 20th century. The book exposes the harsh realities faced by the impoverished, while highlighting the contradictions and failures within the charitable institutions designed to help them. The opening chapters introduce the reader to various characters within the system, including investigators and applicants, showcasing the cold bureaucracy that often prioritizes its own interests over the welfare of the needy. The beginning of the narrative presents a parable about a merciful man whose charitable intentions are subverted by his greedy brother, setting a tone of disillusionment and betrayal. Following this parable, the protagonist, an investigator named Baer, begins his journey at a charity institution, encountering a grim world where applicants are treated with suspicion and disdain. Baer's interactions with both the severely impoverished applicants and the self-serving charity officials reveal a systemic cruelty masked as benevolence, suggesting that the very foundation of charity often leads to the perpetuation of suffering rather than alleviating it. This opening portion effectively sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the moral implications surrounding organized charity, as Baer grapples with the reality of his role in an unjust system. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Charity organization Charities -- New York (State) -- New York Reed, John, 1887-1920 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42363 83202 83202